Fellow blueliner Tim Gleason also could be out. He is nursing a lower-body injury after playing 20:07 against the Devils.

Carolina has recalled defenseman Michal Jordan from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. He has yet to make his NHL debut.

Coming off a successful 4-1-1 road trip in which Cam Ward was strong in the net, the Hurricanes will turn to Dan Ellis against the Maple Leafs. In the most recent game at PNC Arena (on Feb. 1), Ellis shut out the Ottawa Senators, 1-0.

The Maple Leafs are riding their first four-game winning streak since Jan. 3-9, 2012. Their most recent loss came to Carolina in a 4-1 decision in Toronto.

"The Staal brothers are big-bodied centerman who drive the offense for the Carolina hockey club," Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said. "We found out first hand in our building how dominant they can be. We have to be neat and tidy and do some things to limit their time and space."